Australia is one step closer towards retaining the Frank Worrell Trophy after Steve Smith and Cameron Green cracked gritty half-centuries on a rain-affected third day against the West Indies at Grenada’s National Cricket Stadium.
The tourists are 7-221 at stumps, leading by 254 runs, with wicketkeeper Alex Carey (26*) and captain Pat Cummins (4*) unbeaten in the middle.
Following the previous evening’s top-order collapse, Smith and Green combined for a 93-run partnership to put the Australians in a commanding position before a flurry of late wickets gave the West Indies a sniff at an unlikely comeback.
However, the hosts are staring down the barrel of a daunting fourth-innings run chase on an unpredictable pitch that will offer plenty of inconsistent bounce and sideways movement for Australia’s world-class bowling attack.
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“I honestly think the game is still in the balance,” West Indies all-rounder Justin Greaves declared at stumps.
“Regardless of what happens, we have to believe that we can chase anything Australia put up.
“It’s just about being positive and having that belief.
“As a group, we need to be hungry for success.”
Saturday’s morning session was interrupted by a burst of rain that forced a 50-minute delay, with nightwatcher Nathan Lyon departing shortly after play resumed, nicking an outswinger from paceman Alzarri Joseph towards the slips cordon for 8.
With the Australians in a spot of bother at 3-28, Green and Smith dropped anchor and set about reviving the innings as the softened Dukes ball neutralised the West Indies quicks.
MATCH CENTRE: West Indies vs Australia second Test scorecard
Smith, who missed last week’s series opener due to a finger injury, was left grimacing after copping a nasty blow to the glove on his first delivery, but the Australian vice-captain quickly shook off the pain and slapped consecutive boundaries against speedster Shamar Joseph.
The afternoon session was delayed by another burst of rain, with Smith and Green continuing their rebuild after the extended break.
Green brought up his half-century in 122 balls but was dismissed the very next delivery, chopping back onto his stumps after an ill-judged cut stoke caught the inside edge. The West Australian cursed himself and threw his bat on the ground, kicking it away in disgust.
Smith, who reached fifty in just 79 deliveries, switched gears after Travis Head joined him in the middle, charging at Greaves for a swashbuckling boundary over mid-on before thumping rival skipper Roston Chase down the ground for an elegant maximum.
The duo added 58 for the fifth wicket before Greaves broke the stand early in the evening session, trapping Smith on the pads for 71. The New South Welshman looked absolutely baffled after umpire Adrian Holdstock raised the dreaded finger, calling for a review that showed he was plumb LBW.
Greaves struck again in his following over to bring the West Indies back into the contest, with Australian all-rounder Beau Webster driving on the up and edging towards the lone slips fielder for 2.
Following another rain interruption, Shamar Joseph returned to the attack and toppled the dangerous Head with a delivery that kept low and thudded into off stump, with the South Australian departing for 39.
Carey and Cummins survived through to stumps unscathed, with bad light forcing a premature end to the day’s action.
The second Test between the West Indies and Australia will resume on Sunday at 11.30pm AEST.
